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Auto alternatives for the 21st centuryFri, 09 Dec 2016 20:46:09 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.4Fiat 500e EVs Recalled For Software Glitch That Can Stall Motorhttp://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-evs-recalled-for-software-glitch-that-can-stall-motor/
http://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-evs-recalled-for-software-glitch-that-can-stall-motor/#commentsWed, 15 Apr 2015 19:17:02 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=279577Chrysler has issued a safety recall for the Fiat 500e to fix a software issue that can potentially stall the car. Posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last week, the recall includes 2013 to 2015 Fiat 500e cars. Chrysler said that 5,660 cars are affected, which is estimated to be the entire […]

]]>Chrysler has issued a safety recall for the Fiat 500e to fix a software issue that can potentially stall the car.

Posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last week, the recall includes 2013 to 2015 Fiat 500e cars. Chrysler said that 5,660 cars are affected, which is estimated to be the entire U.S. production run of the 500e.

The problem stems from a software glitch that affects the way the Electric Vehicle Control Unit (ECVU) talks to the Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM). Chrysler described the problem and its safety risk in more detail in the recall report:

In the event that the BPCM places the battery in limp home mode, by design there should be no requests to accept regenerative current to the battery. As a result of the software incompatibility, the EVCU does not recognize the limp home mode status and erroneously directs regenerative current to the battery pack causing an electrical system shut down to occur.

When this error occurs, the vehicle will conduct a general shut-down by opening the EV battery pack contactors causing a loss of motive power which may increase the risk of crash.

The high voltage battery provides energy to the traction motor. Safety, brake and steering systems are powered by the 12V battery on the vehicle and are unaffected. The system can be reset and perform normally after cycling the ignition key up to three times.

Chrysler said the faulty 500e EVs may not give a warning when it goes into limp home mode, so drivers may be unaware that the car could stall.

The software that includes this glitch was put into production on March 13, 2014. The update included “improvements in charging system robustness, diagnostic capability and range estimation over life,” according to Chrysler. Two months later, the carmaker issued a Technical Service Bulletin for all 500e EVs built before March 2014 to update their computers with the same software.

Chrysler said that new software fixing the BPCM glitch went into production last October, but doesn’t explain why it took another six months to issue a recall for the 500e EVs already on the road.

This latest software glitch marks the third recall for the 500e. In 2013, Chrysler recalled 270 of the battery electric cars to check that the halfshaft bolts were properly tightened. In 2014, a problem with the power inverter module led to the recall of 4,141 500e cars.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-evs-recalled-for-software-glitch-that-can-stall-motor/feed/02015 Fiat 500e Available In Oregon And Californiahttp://www.hybridcars.com/2015-fiat-500e-available-in-oregon-and-california/
http://www.hybridcars.com/2015-fiat-500e-available-in-oregon-and-california/#commentsWed, 24 Sep 2014 04:05:11 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=196274Fiat’s fully electric 2015 500e is now available in California and Oregon. Fiat said the 500e is available for $199 a month for 36 months with $999 due at signing. Sales of the Fiat 500e expanded to Oregon earlier this year; the all-electric Fiat had been sold only in California since its introduction in 2013. […]

]]>Fiat’s fully electric 2015 500e is now available in California and Oregon.

Fiat said the 500e is available for $199 a month for 36 months with $999 due at signing.

Sales of the Fiat 500e expanded to Oregon earlier this year; the all-electric Fiat had been sold only in California since its introduction in 2013.

“Bringing the Fiat 500e to Oregon gives more customers in this environmentally minded state the opportunity to enjoy the Italian style and engaging driving dynamics of the Fiat 500, but with zero tailpipe emissions,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of Fiat Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC.

For 2015, the Fiat 500e has a redesigned center console, with a new cup holder design and an additional USB port that is integrated with the radio. Two paint colors have been added for the 2015 model-year vehicles for a total of seven available exterior paint colors. The new colors are Luce Blu (light blue with a pearl finish) and Celeste (light blue).

To help alleviate range anxiety, Fiat has conceived an alternative transportation program for owners of the 500e. For times when a 500e customer needs to drive beyond the vehicle’s range or needs the carrying capability of a larger vehicle, the Fiat 500e lease provides an alternative transportation plan called the Fiat 500e Pass program.

Fiat said it partnered with Enterprise Holdings, owner and operator of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo Rent A Car, and National Car Rental brands, on the Fiat 500e Pass program, providing purchasers and lessees of a new 500e up to 12 days of alternate transportation each year for the first three years after the date of purchase.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/2015-fiat-500e-available-in-oregon-and-california/feed/0Fiat 500e Recalled For Power Inverter Module Issuehttp://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-recalled-for-power-inverter-module-issue/
http://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-recalled-for-power-inverter-module-issue/#commentsMon, 12 May 2014 14:38:18 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=148641Chrysler Group announced May 9 it is replacing the power inverter module (PIM) in an estimated 4,141 Fiat 500e electric cars to prevent coolant seepage that may cause power loss while driving. A PIM alters electric current to accommodate battery-powered propulsion. Fiat explained a routine warranty data review prompted an investigation, during which Chrysler Group […]

]]>Chrysler Group announced May 9 it is replacing the power inverter module (PIM) in an estimated 4,141 Fiat 500e electric cars to prevent coolant seepage that may cause power loss while driving.

A PIM alters electric current to accommodate battery-powered propulsion.

Fiat explained a routine warranty data review prompted an investigation, during which Chrysler Group engineers discovered a PIM defect that may, over time, seep coolant onto electrical components, causing a short-circuit leading to power loss.

Chrysler Group said it is aware of five such incidents. The Company also said it is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.

Chrysler Group opted to replace PIMs in model-year 2013-14 Fiat 500e vehicles assembled between Sept. 24, 2012 and April 4, 2014. Affected customers, all of whom are in the U.S., will be contacted directly and advised when they may schedule service.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-recalled-for-power-inverter-module-issue/feed/0Fiat 500e Recalled For Potentially Loose Halfshaft Boltshttp://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-recalled-for-potentially-loose-halfshaft-bolts/
http://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-recalled-for-potentially-loose-halfshaft-bolts/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 22:01:43 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=63493Fiat is recalling over 270 all-electric 500e cars to ensure their halfshaft bolts are propery tightened. No accidents or injuries have been reported, but in a worst-case scenario the halfshafts (front drive axles) could come apart. The issue was discovered when engineers realized two steps during assembly were not completed properly. Owners will be offered […]

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/fiat-500e-recalled-for-potentially-loose-halfshaft-bolts/feed/0Fiat’s Electric 500 Under Oscar’s Spotlightshttp://www.hybridcars.com/fiats-electric-500-under-oscars-spotlights/
http://www.hybridcars.com/fiats-electric-500-under-oscars-spotlights/#commentsFri, 22 Feb 2013 06:28:21 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=54091Fiat is turning the spotlights on its electric 500 during Oscar week. The Fiat 500e “Into the Green” program, which was launched this past November with the objective to build awareness for the first fully electric Fiat 500, is ready to take the stage in 2013 during the week leading to “The Oscars.” The Fiat […]

]]>Fiat is turning the spotlights on its electric 500 during Oscar week.

The Fiat 500e “Into the Green” program, which was launched this past November with the objective to build awareness for the first fully electric Fiat 500, is ready to take the stage in 2013 during the week leading to “The Oscars.”

The Fiat brand sponsors two “Into the Green” events, one was Thursday, Feb. 21 in partnership with Vanity Fair and one on Saturday, Feb. 23 in partnership with the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF), which is the beneficiary of the “Into the Green” program.

“The Fiat 500e is not only environmentally friendly, but also socially responsible,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “The Into the Green Initiative provides a great opportunity for us to work with the MPTF to support the entertainment community while celebrating the arrival of the first all-electric vehicle for the FIAT brand.”

Fiat said that at each exclusive Fiat 500e “Into the Green” event, a celebrity is assigned a 2013 Fiat 500e, which will be delivered in April 2013 in conjunction with the vehicle’s launch in the United States. The celebrity will then drive the Fiat 500e for a period of time before it is auctioned off at a special event to benefit the MPTF.

“Into the Green” programs have been held in past exclusive red carpet events, including the 2012 American Music Awards Pre-Show, the Geffen MOCA Fiat 500e vehicle launch and the 2012 Golden Globes viewing and after party.

The Fiat 500e has a 116-MPGe combined rating; its city rating is 122 MPGe.

EPA testing also has indicated that, when fully charged, the Fiat 500e will travel about 87 miles.

In addition, the EPA estimates the annual cost to power the Fiat 500e is, coincidentally, $500.

The estimate is calculated by factoring electricity price projections into 15,000 miles of travel at a vehicle’s combined city/highway performance rating.

“The FIAT brand is about unique Italian style, fuel efficiency and great value. Now we have taken a page from our own playbook to change the expectations of what an electric vehicle can be,” said Tim Kuniskis, head of FIAT Brand North America. “Our environmentally sexy Fiat 500e offers a design proposition like no other, while delivering unsurpassed MPGe and class-leading range making our 500e a serious contender in the market.”